More funds for independent programs eyed

The House Ways and Means began on Friday its deliberation of the proposed FY 2000 budget, pledging to increase funds set aside by the Tenorio administration to a cash-strapped independent program once the government’s financial resources improve.

Representatives of the charity group Karidat asked the committee for additional funding for the next fiscal year, citing potential huge shortfall in its budget that may hamper the delivery of services to the community.

Karidat has been providing assistance to the community, like meals and other basic necessities for alien workers who have been abandoned by their employers, as well as counseling and other needs for troubled youth and victims of domestic violence.

Committee chair Rep. Karl T. Reyes said the program needs at least $73,000 more on top of the $126,000 allotted by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio under its FY 2000 spending plan.

“We promised them that we would look at the possibility of left-over funds so we could provide them the additional funds,” he said after meeting with Karidat officials.

Committee members agreed to accommodate their request, noting that there may be excess funds from other departments and agencies which could be funneled into Karidat.

But Reyes said there is no guarantee that lawmakers could grant the additional money as other offices have also been seeking larger share of the diminishing revenues of the Commonwealth.

The legislator earlier has issued stern warning to departments and agencies to live within their means, citing the continuous economic difficulties on the island spawned by the Asian recession.

The Tenorio administration has handed in a $206.98 million spending limit for next year, representing almost two percent decline from this year’s budget of $210 million due to drop in tourist arrivals and slowdown in business activities in the CNMI.

Tasked with financial affairs of the government, the committee panel expects to be inundated with requests for larger share of the pie.

Independent programs such as the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library and Karidat have been knocking on the door of the Legislature for higher spending limit in fear the lower budget proposed by the administration may hamper their services.

Other vital agencies like the Public School System, Northern Marianas College, Department of Public Safety and Marianas Visitors Authority as well as the municipalities of Tinian and Rota have asked the committee to consider their requests.

Reyes has also raised the possibility of cutting back the workhours of more than 4,000 government employees to boost savings as personnel costs account for close to 80 percent of the budget.

This is one area which the committee hopes to bring up when they meet with other government officials in the next three weeks.